The GoPro Karma is back, and it offers you complete control of your GoPro camera plus outstanding and super smooth video features, like Orbit, Cable Cam and Dronie.

The Ultimate Drone for GoPro

With the Karma you get a package that includes the drone, the Karma Grip for steady hand footage and a really cool game-style controller.

Like the Mavic, the Karma is foldable making it portable and easy to take on adventures.

What makes the Karma drone unique is its super smooth video, attributed to its “not too high” speed and controlled movements.

It flies for around 20 minutes, which could be better for the price range. Reportedly you should stay well within the controller range of 3km to avoid drops in connection.

Works with GoPro Hero 5 and 6

The Karma works with GoPro Hero 5 and Hero 6. You get total control of the camera with the help of your controller. It also works with Hero 4.

Video Game Style Controller

I love the controller of the Karma. You feel like you are playing a video game, and the image is crisp. The controller is also easy to use, and you get full control of your camera.

Many professional video makers have voiced appreciation for the super smooth features of the Karma.

Although there is no follow me mode you can have the drone Orbit around you and shoot video, use Cable Cam where the drone films you as if on a cable, or take drone selfies.

Although it is priced fairly high, you actually get a lot with your purchase. This is a great choice for both beginners and more experienced drone videographers, and for everyone who wants to get the most out of their GoPro on a drone.

Safe and Stable

When you mount expensive camera equipment you want a quadcopter that is safe, easy to fly and easy to control.

This is one of the reasons why we recommend the DJI Phantom 2 for your action camera. It is a stable and safe drone, and it has already been used by many to record videos of outstanding quality.

The Phantom 2 also has a return to home function, so that you can retrieve it and the camera equipment if the controls are switched off or if you lose control. You will get stable flying, an integrated GPS system, and other safety features designed to prevent crashes.

Ready to Fly

It is delivered pre-tuned, so you can start flying quickly. Just attach the propellers, add batteries to the remote, and charge the battery.

Great Gimbal

This DJI Phantom 2 package comes with a Zenmuse H3-3D 3-axis gimbal, which is a new and technologically advanced version, and plenty of support for the gimbal, which provides you with smooth video recording and excellent camera stability.

Long Flight Time

Another reason why we think so highly of the DJI Phantom 2 is because of its long flight time. You can fly the quadcopter for 25 minutes on one charge with the included LiPo battery.

However, the size of the quadcopter makes it best for open, large spaces, so if you need to navigate tighter spaces, this may not be the right option for you.

Regarding FPV

This drone does not come with its own system for FPV included (First Person View).

You can buy the DJI Phantom FPV Kit for GoPro Hero(7″ LCD, 5.8 Ghz, 500ft Range) that enables you to take videos and photos with first person view and a GoPro camera. Using the WiFi of the GoPro as FPV may interfere with the control of the DJI Phantom 2 as they use the same frequency, so getting this kit is recommended if you want FPV.

The Phantom 2 might be more expensive than some of the other options, but it has advanced functions, great flight time and a good safety record. It also has a very good reputation online, and lots of faithful fans. You can shoot amazing video with it, and the gimbal is very stable.

Video

Shot with DJI Phantom 2 and GoPro Hero4

Best GoPro Drone

We think that the DJI Phantom 2 Quadcopter with Zenmuse H3-3D Gimbal might be the best drone for GoPro because of its superior quality, long flight time, excellent safety features, and included gimbal that is specifically designed for GoPro Hero cameras.

Package Including GoPro Hero 4

You can now also get the DJI Phantom 2 with Zenmuse Gimbal together with a Gopro Hero 4 camera. This package also includes the Zenmuse H4-3d 3-axis gimbal for smooth images and video.

Update: This package is no longer available

Do You Want it Cheaper?

DJI has recently released the DJI Phantom 4 series, and for that reason you can get the DJI Phantom 2 for cheap. This is the basic version without the gimbal or camera mount, and the price is very reasonable. You can buy the gimbal and mount as extras.

It works very well with a GoPro and the flight time is 28 minutes without camera. You can get truly amazing footage with this drone. Tested with Hero2, Hero3/3+ and Hero4 models.

3. Yuneec Typhoon G Quadcopter for GoPro

Yuneec has been around for a while, and they have a very good reputation for building great drones. Their support is also very good, which is not that common in this industry.

Like the DJI Phantom 2 and the 3DR Solo, this drone is made with GoPro in mind, which makes everything so much easier and better.

I love that there is a live video feed on the controller that works with GoPro.

Made with GoPro in Mind

The Yuneec Typhoon G includes a GoProcompatible gimbal where you can easily mount your camera for smooth footage.

It has a flight time of around 20 minutes on a single battery charge and a 400 meter control range.

Delivered Ready to Fly and has Follow Me Function

The Yuneec Typhoon G is ready to fly right out of the box. Something really cool is that this is a quadcopter for GoPro that can follow you and film. This is something you can use when doing things like surfing or skateboarding, or even while taking a run.

It also has a Steady Grip included, which you can use like a gimbal on the ground to get great, stable footage with your camera when you are not flying.

Video

Shot with Hero 4.

This is an advanced but easy to control quadcopter. With features such as follow me mode and live flight streaming in the controller, this is an excellent GoPro drone.

This is probably the cheapest GoPro drone in our list, and while it does not have the same flight time or range as the more well known models, it offers very good value and is fun for beginners wanting to play around with a drone and an action camera. There is also a battery available if you want increased flying time.

No Gimbal

There is no gimbal included with this drone, and that means that the video can get a bit shaky at times. The camera is rubber mounted fixed, which removes some of the vibrations from the drone though. The mount is removable if you want to attach a better gimbal.

Here it is in action with a Hero3 Black attached.

It reportedly does not fly or land very well in windy conditions.

It has a flight range of around 150 meters, and can do some fun things like 3D flips. For the price it offers a surprisingly good flying experience, but without a proper gimbal it is targeted at beginners. One of the cheapest drones for GoPro on the market 2017.

The Solo from 3DR is a new release, and it is marketed as the worlds first smart drone. It is powered by twin 1 GHz computers and has some really cool functions for shooting aerial videos. Solo is an exiting new drone, and a real challenger to the DJI Phantom 2 and 3. Unlike most of the other drones on this list it is designed totally with GoPro in mind, and you can control the camera with the gimbal (sold separately).

It is compatible with HERO3, 3+ and 4.

It also offers streaming in HD via WiFi from your GoPro to iOS/Android devices, so you get FPV, First Person View.

Functions

Solo has some really cool functions, such as orbit, where you can lock your camera on an object and get wraparound shots moving in a circular track while keeping the camera locked on the target, and cable cam, where you can lock the drone on a virtual cable leaving you to control the camera. Movie tricks that you usually only see on Hollywood movies, you can now easily do yourself with your drone.

Gimbal

The Solo Gimbal (sold separately) gives you steady and smooth video, and control of your GoPro camera.

What Sets it Apart?

First off, it is designed entirely with GoPro cameras in mind. This give you control of your camera via the gimbal, and you can also use FPV without having to purchase extra equipment.

Solo offers some really cool functions for shooting aerial videos, and this drone is in my opinion the best choice for shooting professional and creative video with a GoPro drone.

Traxxas is very well known in the field of RC cars, but newer when it comes to drones. This might be the reason behind the unique look of the Traxxas Aton Drone, with curves that might remind you of a racing car. This drone is very fast as well, with speeds up to 50 mph.

Gimbal

Included in this package there is a 2-axis gimbal that you can use with GoPro.

It works with GoPro Hero 3 and 4.

It does not work with Hero 5, but you can get some kind of universal mount that works with Hero 5 as well.

It will work with other similar sized action cameras too, but exactly which ones is not specified.

Features

There are different modes you can use when flying the Traxxas, like Sports Mode with speeds up to 50 mph and Film Mode, for shooting videos.

Beginners would do best to start in Film Mode.

The Traxxas also has Airbrake, a button you can press if you lose control, and the drone will stop and hover.

The Traxxas Aton can also do flips and rolls.

I also really like the lit up status bar that lets you know when the drone is ready for takeoff. It makes it easier for you to determine what the problem is when things do not work as expected.

This is the perfect GoPro drone for speed devils. The included gimbal is a big plus, and it is a drone you can grow into, starting with Film mode and advancing to the more advanced modes.

IRIS+ from 3DRobotics has a lot to offer if you want to be able to take great videos and photos. One of the really cool things about this drone is the “Follow Me mode”, IRIS+ will follow your every move and keep you focused in the camera, which is really useful for more than just action sports.

It has a great autopilot, just tell it where to go and it will go there automatically while keeping the camera completely stable with the 2-axis gimbal.

The IRIS also has flight safety features, it can return home if it flies out of range, or the battery runs out.

I have seen it tested with Hero 3 and Hero 4.

GoPro Ready

IRIS features a GoPro-compatible camera mount so that you easily can mount the camera.

The Tarot T-2D Brushless Gimbal Kit is not included, but can be purchased separately. It works with GoPro Hero.

Ready to Fly

The IRIS+ is delivered ready to fly, all you have to do is to attach the propeller and charge your battery.

Why I Like it

One cool thing about the IRIS is the follow me mode, just set it to follow you and you can ride of on your bike, run, walk, whatever you want. It is your own hands-free camera crew.

I see the IRIS as an interesting alternative to the powerful GoPro drones like DJI Phantom 2, and although it has slightly less flight time, it has some really cool features that your can use together with your GoPro camera.

The Walkera QR X350 is produced by the Chinese drone manufacturer Guangzhou Walkera Technology, and they have a very good reputation.

The flight time is about 23 minutes, which is quite impressive, and much better than the around 5 minute flight time you could get with the old Walkera X350.

This package has a FPV-system included, which broadcasts in-flight video to the radio.

Included is a mount and a gimbal compatible with GoPro cameras.

Optimized for GoPro

The gimbal is included in the price with this package, as is the compatible mount, and a GoPro transmitter. FPV works with 5.8GHz FPV technology so that it will not interfere with the Radio Control System. The system is ready to fly and completely setup to work with GoPro cameras.

Safety Features

It does come with a return to home function, which I like to see on drones that carry expensive camera equipment.

The DJI Phantom is, in my opinion, faster and easier to get up in the air, but for someone with a little drone experience the Walkera QR X350 Pro might be preferable to the DJI Phantom. It’s a different flying experience, and the Walkera might be a bit faster and more edgy.

A huge plus is that it is all setup and ready to work with GoPro, making it a very convenient choice. All in all this is a very good alternative to the DJI Phantom 2, and with this drone for GoPro Walkera really upped their game.

11. CXHOBBY CX-20

Cheerson Hobby behind this quadcopter is another Chinese manufacturer. This is a budget drone, but I think you still get a lot for the money. And it looks quite similar to the DJI Phantom too.

A big advantage with the Cheerson CX hobby is the price, you don’t need to be super careful while you are learning.

Although the price is relatively low, this is not a toy, it is a sensitive and smart technology.

The CX-20 professional has about 15 minutes of flight time and flies with high intensity led lights for better flight orientation. The fight speed is around 10 meters per second. The size of it is about the same as that of the DJI Phantom.

The GoPro quadcopter has no camera of its own but has included a mount that works with the cameras.

Safety Features

It has safety features that warn you if your batteries run low, and if you still keep going it will try and land automatically. The return to home function also works if the communication is disconnected.

Ready to Fly

The CX-20 professional is delivered ready to fly, but some assembly is required.

As always, read the instructions before you fly to avoid incident. Read the manual and check out the instructional disk.

The CXHOBBY CX-20 Professional has been getting pretty good reviews, and people seem happy with the performance of it, calling it a good budget alternative to the DJI Phantom. Expect a difference in build quality though, as the Phantom 2 is extremely well created.

12. Ghost Drone Aerial 2.0

The Ghost is an indiegogo crowd funding product and it is marketed as the easiest drone to fly. The Ghost 2.0 Aerial was just released, and just like in Ghost 1 there is no RC controller, instead you control it with your smartphone.

The Ghost 2.0 is now delivered with a 4K sports camera, but you can attach your GoPro instead. The gimbal is compatible with Hero 3, 3+, 4 and other action cameras.

You can set the quadcopter to night mode in the evening, and it will use LED lights so that you can track it better.

Like the IRIS+ and the AirDog you can set it to auto-follow mode, which is always handy if you want to shoot yourself biking, surfing, jogging or doing tricks.

The flight time is also very good, 25 minutes.

Gimbal included

There is a 3-axis aircraft grade aluminum gimbal included to keep the video stable, and it works well with GoPro Hero 3, 3+, 4 and other action cameras.

A plus is also that the Gimbal is pre-assembled and already mounted on the drone.

Safety Features

If the connection is lost, the return home safety feature kicks in. The Ghost is also resistant to wind and rain. Propeller protectors are included.

Android and iOS

To control the Ghost Aerial Drone 2.0 you need an android or iOS device, as it is controlled via the Ghost Drone app. Included in this package is the G-Box which provides a stable connection between Ghost and a smartphone at an effective range of up to 3,280 feet (1,000 m).

Great for Beginners

The Ghost 2.0 is designed to be extremely easy to use and get started. All you need is your smartphone, and you get real time data via the app. All the commands are very easy with Waypoint Mode and Flight Planning available via a one click system.

The Ghost 2.0 has come down a lot in price, which makes it a really interesting GoPro drone.

13. Bonus: Parrot AR.Drone 2.0

Specs

Camera: 720p high-definition live video streaming to tablet and smartphone

The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 is a cheap option, and it is controlled by a smartphone or tablet.

It is quite small, making it a great choice if you want a drone that can easily navigate smaller spaces.

Includes Camera

It does come with a HD camera that offers live video streaming that goes right to your tablet or smartphone when flying. A camera mount is not included.

So if you want to attach your action camera you will need to purchase a mount. Keep in mind, adding weight to the quadcopter will reduce the altitude and the battery life.

Ready to Fly

The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 comes fully assembled and ready to fly. It has a range of about 50 meters and has a flying time of around 12 minutes.

Good for Beginners

The Parrot is especially helpful for beginners, since it is easy to fly and needs no major configuring when you take it out of the box.

On-board GPS tracking is also included which makes it easy to map out potential flight paths.

Cheap and Fun, but you Need a Mount

The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 is not really made with an action camera in mind, but it is a cheap option and it is a lot of fun to fly, and it’s small enough to operate in smaller places. Without a gimbal the video will be a bit shaky though.

Video

Parrot AR Quadcopter 2.0 with GoPro Hero2 on a pretty windy day

Warning

Not Very Strong

For this combination to work you will need a mount that is very light, as the Parrot may not be able to lift both the camera and a heavy mount. I still wanted to include the Parrot on this list as a budget drone for GoPro, but it has some drawbacks.

Update

There is a new version of the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0, called the Power Edition. It has an outstanding flight time of 36 minutes.

I am looking to buy my husband a drone that is compatible with his go pro hero 3. Since he hasn’t flown a drone before I really didn’t want to spend a lot of money and found the the below option. Ionic Stratus Drone Quadcopter. Do you know anything about this option?

Hi,
It is compatible with Hero 3, and I think it is a good choice for a beginner too. It is also very cheap and it flies very well. Good for a beginner, the video wont be of professional quality since there is no gimbal to stabilize the video, but fun for sure. The flight time is about 10 minutes.

I have the walkera qrx350 pro and after having eliminated the failsafe’s with mission planner,I now rely on telemetry with the devof12e transmitter for battery duration. It is an amazingly reliable and probably the fastest drone availlable. I would reccommend this drone over any of the models cited in your article. batteries are the least expensive also.

If you have $100 – $150 to spend on a first-time drone what can you recommend with a camera and the option of adding a go-pro mount? Or would you recommend going for either one with a camera or one designed for a go-pro?

Hi Georgia,
I would recommend the 3DR SOLO, it is compatible with GoPro Hero 4 and has some very good functions for shooting aerial video. You can also use the follow me mode for shooting videos while biking or driving. It has a very reasonable price.

Hi there really great post here! Congratulations!
I’m looking for a first drone, something that can take a gopro hero 6 and that has at least the follow me option, but I’m afraid to get the karma since gopro stopped it’s production, do you have any advice for me?

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